Chapter 31 - The Silver Stake

A rancid stench in the cave forces me to open my eyes. It’s not the first time I’ve done that, but based on how my body feels, it could very well be the last. The notion of death scares me. And that, in turn, makes me angry. I’m yet to avenge the death of those I’ve lost.

Dying is not an option. Nor is being scared.

My eyes always have the same view—a hunter looming over me, holding a silver stake in hand; spitting mocking words if it's either Megan or Dan. If it’s Cole, then the words are more threatening; he never fails to call me darling. Carol, however, needs no stake. All she does whenever I regain consciousness is twirl her fingers in the air. I know I hate nothing else more than what follows that action.

But this time when I open my eyes, I see something else. Someone else.

Riley.

The human holds no silver stake in her hands. In that state, Riley is as harmless as an infant, lying too still across me on the wet floor.

With a sniff, I raise my head—something I haven't manag